Mayor Francis Slay files for re-election

St. Louis (KSDK) - St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay filed for re-election Monday at the Board of Election Commissioners.

Slay will face competition in the Democratic Primary Election on March 5, 2013. Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, who announced his intention to run early last month, made it official Monday when he filed for office.

Slay is seeking his fourth consecutive term in office. He says he'll run a clean and positive campaign.

Reed says people in the city are hungry for a new direction.

Slay and Reed talked about what role race might play in the campaign.

"I'm concerned that my opponent will try to use the race card in the campaign, people that know me know that's something that I have never done and will not do," said Mayor Slay.

"This isn't just about black vote, white vote, Hispanic vote, Chinese vote, this is about all the votes, this is about everybody," said Reed.

Another candidate filed to run for mayor. Reverend Jimmie Matthews says the city needs a mayor that has integrity, vision, faith, and wisdom.